Today's press conference in front of Hostos drew 50 spirited supporters of Miguel Malo who protested yesterday's outrageous verdict. The turnout, which would have been impressive in the best weather, wasall the more so given harsh winds and a torrential downpour

CUNY students, faculty and staff joined other defenders of democratic rights in chanting "Miguel Malo es inocente," "Todos somos Miguel" (We are all Miguel) and holding signs that included a 22-person line of placards spelling out M-I-G-U-E-L M-A-L-O I-S I-N-N-O-C-E-N-T. Miguel, released on bail last night, had to report to the parole department this morning but was able to make it to the last part of the rally.

Media included New York 1 en espanol (which is showing footage of the event right now), WBAI, El Diario, NY Indypendent, PSC Clarion and others. Among speakers were Hostos professors Gerald Meyers and Henry Lesnick, City College professor Bill Crain, City College staff member Carol Lang (arrested after an antiwar protest at CCNY), a rousing Jose Laguarta from AELLA (Latino and Latin American Students Association), representatives from CCNY SLAM, Internationalist Group, Socialist Alternative, League for the Revolutionary Party, organizers of CUNY Action to Defend Miguel Malo, Ron McGuire and others.

Students and faculty attended from Hostos, Hunter, the Graduate Center, CCNY, Bronx Community College, John Jay and elsewhere, together with members of the Professional Staff Congress, immigrant workers' rights activists and others.

Speakers expressed indignation at the vindictive prosecution getting bail imposed -- which is extremely unusual in this kind of case -- the threat of jail time being imposed, and the attempt by the DA's office and CUNY administration to create an atmosphere of intimidation. Many of those attending remarked that they were struck by the turnout and the crowd's determination to defeat this attack on everyone's rights.

Petitions were distributed so that people can get large numbers of signatures on their campuses -- we have plenty of these for everyone, so get yours! Information was also handed out on how people can make contributions to Miguel's defense (which will continue to be crucial given plans to appeal).

I don't know exactly, but I remember the incident from a few years back. He was holding up a sign and was jumped by CUNY cops (who have arrest powers, and are armed on some campuses). After they slammed him around, and there were several witnesses that he broke no laws -- they charged him with a bunch of different charges to justify their brutality.

Let me check around and find out what exactly he was convicted of. I know they had to drop a bunch of charges over the course of the trial -- let's see what they put on him at the end.

I do KNOW that Miguel Malo is a kind and decent guy who is being made an example out of by a fucked-up CUNY administration that is terrified of student activism, particularly on campuses like Hostos in the Bronx.

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